Wichita eagle., 1887-09-15
HISTORICAL FACTS NO. 2.
To the Editor OF The Eagle.

HISTORICAL FACTS NO. 2.
To the Editor of The Eagle.
In yesterdays EAGLE under The topic of
Historical Facts" find the following:
''In 1903 President Jefferson bought
from Napoleon the province of Louisiana
including nearly all Kansas, for little
more than S23, 4OO, 600"
The author of the above has not studied
his history lesson very carefully orrecently.
The actual price paid for Louisiana was
81, 100000 However, in a separate
treaty made the same day it was agreed to
pay France 2O,OOO,OOO francs additional,
to be applied by France to the satisfaction
of certain claims owed to American citi-
zens. Thus the total cost of Louisiana
was, in round numbers, SIS. 600, 900.
The country thus acquired includes the
states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri,
Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota west
of the Mississippi, Colorado north
Of the Arkansas, besides the III
dian territory and the territories of
Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The
Louisiana purchase did not extend beyond
the main range Of the Rocky Mountains,
but Texas was also included in the transfer.
This gives us some idea of the dimensions
of the immense territory acquired by the
United States for the mere pittance, COM
paratively speaking, of eighty millions of
francs. The purchase of this vast territory
ought perhaps rather be attributed to the
brilliant diplomacy, courage and patriotism
of Robert R. Livingston and Mr.. Monroe
than to the craftsmanship of Jefferson.
Mr.. Livingston was at that time minister
to Paris from the United States, and was
instructed to urge for concessions concern
Ing the free navigation of the Mississippi
and the right of deposit at New Orleans,
and Mr.. Monroe was special envoy sent
out by President Jefferson to aid in effecting
these concessions. Neither of the gentlemen
had any authority to negotiate for so
vast an extent of territory. But an answer
from the United States would, at that time,
have required st least three months, and
such delay would have been fatal, as
England was already marching against
France for the obvious object Of snatching
from Napolean the territory she so much
envied. This both Livingston and Mon
roe, as well as Napolean, fully foresaw,
and the two former took the responsibility
of purchasing territory of prodigious ex-
tent, and of pledging the credit of the gov
eminent for SIS, 5000 This treaty was
formally concluded on the 9Oth of April
1903. Thus by the bold dash Of diplomacy
of Livingston and Monroe the United
States secured from France a territory
which England had already sent twenty
ships to conquer; and but for the resolu-
ton, courage and dispatch OF Livingston
and Monroe, England would beyond a
doubt have won Louisiana, which would
have proved in the highest degree embar-
RAISING, if not disastrous to the Union.
W. II. r.
NoTE-1f We had taken the time to
verify the statements In the article referred
to, which was taken from and credited to
the Lawrence Journal, which we should
have done, by referring to the encyclo-
pedias, as w. II. R. did, we would have
discovered the discrepancy in the amount
actually paid for the territory described.
But the article was evidently intended by
its author as only the briefest outline of
historical facts as pertains to this portion of
the country. The amount involved in the
acquisition Of the vast area was indeed but
a pittance compared with its present value,
and the discrepancy Is matter of small
concern, aside from the idea of nicely and
detail which would place the amount paid
to France by the United States on the pur-
chase of the territory at 1,400,-
600, which added TO the $780,
600 paid to citizens on claims, would
make the aggregate cost $15, 900. The
fact that MIR. Jefferson was president at
the time the agreement was entered into
between Messrs. Livingston and Monroe
and Napoleon, and that his approval of |
the compact was necessary to make it |
binding on the part Of the United States, |
and Is consequently known in history as
the purchaser. is not affected by the details |
by w. II. r.
But we have said enough, perhaps, to
prompt those Of our readers who care to |
know more of the details of these histori |
cal facts to consult their histories and get |
them as there given.-ED.
KANSAS SUGAR
Judge Parkinson, of the Fort Scott |
sugar works, sums up the matter as fol |
lows: